LEEDS MARINE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION APPOINTS NEW CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
As it marks its 30th year, the Leeds Marine Insurance Association (LMIA) has elected a new Chair, John Habergham, and Vice Chair, Ben Harper-Longbone.
Established in 1992, the LMIA is an association of insurance companies, brokers, loss adjusters, marine surveyors and members of the legal profession all specialising in underwriting, broking or claims relating to marine, cargo and freight.
Although the Association has ‘Leeds’ in its title, its membership is drawn from the marine and goods in transit insurance community in the North with members from Bradford, Manchester, North Lincolnshire and even Lloyds of London. Both shipping lawyer John Habergham of Myton Law and marine surveyor Ben Harper-Longbone of Crawford & Company are based in Hull.
2022-2023 will be John Habergham’s second stint as Chair. He first held the post in the late 90s. “I’m pleased to take up this role again in the LMIA’s 30th year. After a couple of difficult years because of the pandemic, I hope to grow the Association’s membership and, in order to promote best practice, reinstate visits and regular workshops with speakers covering topical developments.”
He takes over from underwriter Jon Clare of insurer CNA Hardy.
New Vice Chair Ben Harper-Longbone adds, “John take’s his second term as Chair of the LMIA and is already bringing marine industries and cities together, under the Leeds Marine Insurance Association umbrella, to promote skills and training”.
John Habergham is co-founder of Myton Law, a specialist shipping, rail and logistics firm located in Hull but acting for brokers, marine and good in transit insurers, freight forwarders and exporters/importers nationally and internationally. Myton Law was listed for its maritime expertise in the 200 ‘Best Law Firms 2022’ published by The Times, it is one of only four practices noted for maritime work in England & Wales.
Ben Harper-Longbone is an ex-seagoing marine engineer with experience in shipbuilding, ship repair, ship operations and management, albeit latterly coming ashore to become a consultant marine engineer and surveyor with Crawford & Co. (Marine).
The LMIA’s aims include maintaining the city of Leeds as a principal regional market for marine, aviation and goods in transit insurance, facilitating cooperation between members and providing opportunities for education for those involved in marine insurance.